Sister in Law: Lung cancer and will be having surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung.

My Favorite Quote

If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with much more love, patience, tolerance, and care. "Marvin J. Ashton"

Relief Sociey Lesson 31 "God shall be with you forever and ever."

No affliction can separate us from the love of God and fellowship with one another.

Adversity lasts only a small moment; if we endure well, we will be exalted in the presence of God.

The Savior understands all of our suffering, and He will be with us forever and ever.

The still, small voice whispers consolation to our soul in the depths of our sorrows and distress.

I LOVE GENEALOGY

Frank & I have been doing genealogy for several years and we have been working a shift at the Family History Center, but had to quit due to our surgeries. Our favorite genealogy site is: Ancestry.com and we are excited that the Las Vegas Temple district has just recently been allowed to the newfamilysearch.org site. We love researching our families and have spent hours and hours doing so. We are the Family History Consultants for our Ward.

The below picture was taken on a trip Frank & I made in 2000. I was able to see this old Smith Home and meet some of my cousins on this trip. I actually visisted this old place when I was a very small child around 4 years old, and I can still remember it. As I was wandering around the old place, I felt my deceased Aunt's presence and I could see her running around the yard playing as a small child. She was raised by the Smiths her grandparents.

The Old Smith Home Siler City, NC

My Mother's Grandparents Home

About Me

I was born in Salt Lake City, UT where I spent the first 20 years of my life. I graduated from West High School and went to Henager Business College, and worked at the State Road Shops in Salt Lake City. I married Larry Staley on Sept.30,1960 and we had three children, Sherry, Bret, and Garen. We moved to Grantsville,UT in 1961 and lived there for three years. We moved to NV in 1964 when Garen was just four months old. We lived in Las Vegas for a few months and then moved to Overton, NV where Larry opened the Bank of Las Vegas as the bank manager. He was killed in a bank robbery in August of 1967 along with two of his bank tellers. He was 28 and I was 26, and I was left with three small children. This was the hardest part of my life losing my husband at such a young age. I married Bud Walkington two years later. He was the husband of one of the tellers that was killed. He had two daughters, Lani and Lori. They and their children are still in my life and I love them dearly. This was an un-happy marriage and ended in 1978. I then Married Frank Merritt and have been happily married for 31 years now.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Breast Cancer Scare

I was supposed to get a mammogram in October, but for some reason I kept putting it off. There just seemed to be too much going on. I decided to do it right after Christmas. I finally made me an appointment on January 15th. I had my Mammogram, and Frank and I went to Vegas the next day so I could get my monthly manicure and pedicure and my relaxing massage with Sherry. When I got home I had a voice mail from the x-ray technician and she told me there was abnormality in my left breast, and that I needed to call my doctor for the results. Of course it was on a Friday, and my doctor doesn't work on Fridays. I left a message, and then called them back on Monday. Once again I had to leave a message, and I know my anxiety came through in my voice and message I left.

I have the best OBGYN doctor. I couldn't believe it when he called a little later on. I know it was in between his patients. He called instead of one of having one of his staff members call. He said "Donna did those Mesa View people scare you?" He explained a little of what is going on, that I have microcalicifications in my left breast and that I would need a biopsy. He asked if I wanted to go to Vegas, or St. George. I chose St. George as we have a new doctor over there and have decided that is where we want to go for our medical needs.

I told Frank what I could, and then said "now I have to go and cry." Frank came in to find me cleaning our bathroom as that is what I do when under stress, clean!!!! He hugged me and said "you do know that everything will be okay?" The hug felt good and made me feel better. I shook myself into the reality of I should just wait and see type of thing.

Later that day, my wonderful doctor's staff called me and they had set me up with a doctor in St. George. Everything was falling into place quickly. She told me I had an appointment for Wednesday the 15th. I no sooner got off from the phone when one of the surgeon's staff called me to tell me they didn't take my insurance which was a total shock as no doctor's office, etc has refused my insurance. I told her this, and she told me to call my insurance company and ask them. It turned out that all the doctor has to do is treat it as Medicare, as I have a Medicare Advantage plan. So any way the lady that called me said I could come the next day which was a Friday. The doctor usually doesn't work on Fridays, but she thought he would see me. The next step was getting my x-rays from the Mesa View Hospital. It was late in the day like around 3:PM. So I called the hospital and was told the office stays open until 5:30. We rushed over to Mesquite only to see a sign on the door stating they x-ray office closed at 3:30. It was almost 4:00. I rang the bell and a nice young girl came out and I told her my situation. She said they would make the copies for me right then. Wow! I couldn't believe how things were just falling into place. Someone was watching over me.

So the next day, we headed to St. George for my appointment. I really liked the doctor as soon as he started to explain things. I won't go into great detail at this point, only to say that he took the x-rays to his radiologist and they found another area of concern. So I was glad that they found it and both areas will be biopsied. The doctor checked me out, and gave Frank and I a little brochure that explained my type of concern, and how the biopsy works. He told Frank and I that if I did have this type of breast cancer, it is 100% curable. That made us both feel better. The last step was to set up the biopsy which will be next Monday the 27th as I have to quit any blood thinners that I am taking which is baby aspirin and fish oil. I do have to admit I am still having anxiety going on, but I am sure this is normal for most people when the word cancer comes into place.

I have to tell of an experience I had a month or two ago. I haven't been feeling well at all, and have noticed I get very pale at times. I was in bed one night and had just finished saying my prayers when this electrical shock went through my body, and a voice inside me said "there is something wrong in your body." So I wasn't surprised when I got the bad report on my mammogram. Now the wait begins for the biopsy report. I was told they would call me as soon as they get the report. I am trying to think positive about all of this, after all the doctor said that if I do have cancer it is curable.

I just had a close friend go through a breast cancer trial, and they were able to get it all through surgery. She had follow up radiation and is still being checked to make sure they got it all. We were talking the other day when I called her to tell her about my scare. She said that she felt her kids are grown, and has no responsibilities, and if it was meant to be her time to go, it would be okay. I agreed with her as I feel the same way. I am so exhausted all the time, I fight myself to keep up with things. I am not contributing any thing of value to life or my church. Even my genealogy has suffered as I just don't feel like doing it any more.
I know that I am suffering from depression because of the way I feel. Exhaustion is my companion. I am going to my sleep doctor next month and going to try the CPAC as my new doctor thinks my Sleep Apnea is causing my exhaustion. I will continue this story after I get my biopsy.

1 comment:

I hope all is well. Healthline just published these inspiring quotes about breast cancer from celebrities who battled the disease. Our audience really enjoyed them and gave us great feedback on how powerful and inspirational they are. You can see them here: http://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer/quotes

I thought they would be of interest to your followers as well, and I wanted to see if you would include it as a resource on your page: http://grannygrampsplace.blogspot.com/2014/01/breast-cancer-scare.html

Please let me know if this would be possible. I’m happy to answer any other questions as well.